1959 Dunphy...with a twist!

[Drb007]

As I just got my 5th boat (all fiberglassics), it seems my dad has caught the bug. He has always wanted a nice old wood boat. He did, anyway. Now, he knows he doesn't have the time or desire, or even the physical ability to get in and out of the boat so easily as he would as a younger man.

Some time ago he acquired an old camelback drill press (for free) that he never used. He had a chance to trade the drill press with a friend for a 1959 Dunphy with a 58A Mercury.

So, we went today to get the old boat in the first snow fall of the season.
Seems the boat was not stored very well. We were very surprised to see the twist the hull had developed once we got it pulled out to a level spot on the driveway.

We know nothing about wood boats. We are wondering if this boat is worth restoring. Most of the deck is rotted, but the hull isn't that bad, as far as these eyes can tell. Can the twist be fixed or is this beyond hope?

The Mercury looks really nice, and is very clean.

We appreciate your comments and advice!
Dave

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

My unexperted opinion is that it's kindling. :blue:

I suppose it could be fixed but it would probably be easier(less work) to just build one from scratch.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The boat dad owned when I was born was a Dunphy. Brings back memories. Wish yours was in better shape. Took years to get twist in hull, will take time and effort to get it straight. Steam will help

 

[jbcurt00]

Depending on how and why it twisted will likely dictate how hard and time consuming it'll be to get it straight, and keep it that way. IMO, none of those methods will be cheap or easy.

Take a regular shoe box w lid and twist it along its length, not easy but can be done. And when you let go it'll go backol mostly to its original shap. Now line it w wooden ribs every so often to stiffen the box. Ribs are fastened to each other where they meet in the corners and are attached to the sides, bottom and top of the box. Much harder to twist, if you can, when you let go, it probably wont go back to its original shape. The joints and fasteners have all been compromised.

Same problem w this boat. Every single joint will need to be addressed as will every sheet of plywood and every single fastener. To do that well, you really need to tear into it and dismantle it. Not sure you can get it straight and true w out completely dismantling it down to a frame on a strongback.

Lots of work is a gross understatement, IMO.

Possible? Sure, but really, why would you want to if your dad has mobility problems now. It'll be a lengthy project, he's not likely to have improved mobility years from now.

 

[Drb007]

Thank you for the honest feedback. My only thought was that if I could redo it, dad could take a ride or two. I don't think he has in intention of doing the work (though he is the woodworker, not me).
Maybe the best thing to do is strip off the good pieces, such as the bow light (we found the flag mast for it!) steering wheel, cleats, etc in case someone needs those, and let nature finish its job on the boat. Sad.

 

[Teamster]

I'd pull all of the hardware and motor off,......

Maybe turn the rest into cribbage boards,................

 

[jbcurt00]

I think those are Volrath (sp?) cleats. Very unique and interesting.

You can probably do pretty well selling the salvageable parts and pieces on ebay or craigs.

I understand the motivation but IMO this boat is past a reasonably feasible rescue. Might donate it to a local college frat for a bonfire starter...... Pirate days party comes to mind

I'd bet nearly all I have that taking your dad for a cruise w your daughter in ANY boat you and she do some work on will be plenty meaningful. Sooner in this case truly would be better. And you've got a couple good choices for that. Might get her to ask him for help or guidance on some part of 1 of those projects. That way she will see him and his handiwork too when she looks at the boat once you all are finished.

 

[Drb007]

jbcurt, you nailed it. My dad loves working on ANYTHING with his grandkids. I think that was the entire point of getting the wood boat...just GETTING it with the grandkids. He had a great day. My daughter and two of my nephews came along to help. Dad had gotten two new tires for the trailer so we had to jack it up and put them on. We had the kids (all 16 yo) do the work while we inspected the boat. We spent a few hours chatting with our friend who gave us the boat, and then hit the road for the hour drive home...in the snow. I hadn't gone more than a mile when I asked if anyone had double checked the lugs to make sure they were all tight. The kids all said they had. Literally 5 seconds later I asked, "Who tightened the left wheel?" My nephew said, "I did! Why? Is it loose?"
"Nope," I said. "It's gone!."
Fell clean off. Had to go look in the ditches but were able to find it. We stole two lugs from the other side and made it slowly home.
Dad will tell that story 1000 times.

So even if the boat is reduced to kindling, it was all worth it.
I'll work on stripping it in spring. For now it sits under the barn. If only it had been there for the last 10 years...


As for my daughter, she is thinking of adding a mahogany dash and side panels to her Larson All American. That would be a project she'd do with grandpa. He has some good experience with that wood. He made a full mahogany shower for his house!

 

[jbcurt00]

Dunphy has a Mahogany dash...

Sounds like a fun day

 

[Ned L]

Before I discounted this boat I would ask about how bad the rot in the plywood planked hull is. If the planking is in decent shape the twist may not be to bad to get out (yes it will take time).
If the planking is soft, and with the twist I would agree that this would be a long road. ....... And unfortunately, it looks like it may have issues.
The outboard is desirable. As for the hardware,... At least the forward running light is only chrome plated pot metal, not a great amount of value.

...... Ten to one she twisted from being allowed to sit full of water up forward for a long time. (Left sitting bow down on the trailer.)